Shank head for drop spindle

ABSTRACT

A drop spindle shank having a gradually flaring head on one end including a generally central passage formed therein extending longitudinally of the spindle and opening endwise outwardly at one end through the free end of the head. The other end of the passage curves slightly laterally outwardly and opens through one side of the spindle at the minor diameter end of the head. A longitudinal slot is formed in the head communicating the full length of the passage with the external surfaces of the head on the side thereof corresponding to the side of the spindle through which the curved end of the passage opens and the slot opens through the side of the head along a sine wave path extending longitudinally of the head. Further, the slot, at any point therealong, opens inwardly along a straight path generally radially of the center passage formed through the head.

United States Patent [191 Easton SHANK HEAD FOR DROP SPINDLE Walter C. Easton, Route No. 1, Oakland, Maine 04763 [76] Inventor:

[ Aug. 19, 1975 [5 7 ABSTRACT A drop spindle shank having a gradually flaring head on one end including a generally central passage formed therein extending longitudinally of the spindle and opening endwise outwardly at one end through the free end of the head. The other end of the passage [52] US. Cl 57/37; 57/73 curves slightly laterally outwardly and opens through [51] Int. Cl. DOlH 7/04 one side of the spindle at the minor diameter end of [58] Field of Search 57/37, 73, 129 the head, A longitudinal slot is formed in the head communicating the full length of the passage with the [56] References Cited external surfaces of the head on the side thereof cor- UNITED STATES PATENTS responding to the side of the spindle through which 35,145 5/1862 Eaton 57 73 the Curved end Passage Opens and the 327,862 10/1885 Chapman 57/73 opens through the side of the head along a sine wave 340,159 4/1886 Sherman 57/73 path extending longitudinally of the head. Further, the 357,903 2/1887 Chapman 57 73 slot, at y point l g, p n i ly l ng a straight path generally radially of the center passage Primary Examiner-John Petrakes formed through the head- Attorney, Agent, or FirmClarence A. OBrien; Harvey Jacobson 3 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures SI-IANK HEAD FOR DROP SPINDLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Most drop spindles are provided with a plain round, slightly knob-bed head and some of these spindles are provided with straight slots in the head for pinching the thread as it comes off the shank. It is usually necessary on these types of drop spindles to tie a half, hitch knot at the head of the spindle to secure the thread to the spindle. Tying such a knot consumes time and is tiresome and has the effect of causing the thread to issue from the shank at the side thereof. Consequently, it is necessary that the entire spindle be made to hang slightly off-center as it spins and this manner of compensating for the off-center issuing of the thread from the spindle head results in an inefficient spinning action.

It is accordingly the main object of this invention to provide a head for a drop spindle constructed in a manner so as to key the thread issuing from the spindle to the head thereof, but in a manner which enables the thread to issue from the center of the head.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediately preceding object, is to provide a drop spindle with an improved shank head design eliminating the necessity of tying a half hitch knot in the thread at the head and yet performing in a manner to support efficient spinning action.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a drop spindle in accordance with the preceding objects and which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of the spindle of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the spindle with portions thereof being broken away and illustrated in vertical section;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the spindle as seen from the head end thereof;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view on somewhat of an enlarged scale taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral generally designates a drop spindle constructed in accordance with the present invention. The spindle 10 is generally conventional in design in that it includes a tapered shank 12 having a gradually flaring head 14 on its minor diameter end. The head 14 flares outwardly as at 16 and thereafter is contoured to form a substantially constant diameter end portion 18 in turn terminating in a beveled terminal end 20. The head 14 has a generally central and longitudinally extending passage 22 formed therein which extends longitudinally along the spindle. The passage 22 opens centrally outwardly through the beveled terminal end 20 at one end as at 24 and the other end of the passage curves smoothly laterally and outwardly as at 26 and opens through one side of the spindle 10 at the juncture between the minor diameter end of the shank 12 and the minor diameter end of the head 14.

Also, the head 14 includes a longitudinal slot 28 and communicates the full length of the passage 22 with the external surfaces of the head 14. However, the slot opens through the corresponding side of the head 14 along a sine wave path, as may best be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings extending longitudinally of the head 14. In addition, the slot 28 is of a configuration such that any point therealong opens inwardly into the passage 22 along a straight path extending generally radially of the passage 22. Also, it may be seen from FIG. 5 of the drawings that the opposite extremes of the sine wave path along which the slot 28 extends occupies approximately a ninety degree sector of the head 14 and from FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 that the sine wave path along which the slot 28 extends includes alternate centerline crests spaced circumferentially about the corresponding side of the head 14 a distance greater than the width of the slot 28.

As may be seen from FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawings, the thread 30 is wound on the major diameter end portion of the shank 12 with the free end of the thread 30 passed through the passage 22 and out of the free end of the head 14. In this manner, the thread issues smoothly from the spindle at the approximate center thereof and there is no need to tie a half hitch knot in the thread to secure the thread to the head of the spindle. The spindle need not hang slightly off-center to compensate for thread issuing from one side of the head 14 and a well balanced spinning action is insured.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a drop spindle including opposite ends, one end of said spindle including a shank portion having a gradually flaring head on one end, said head including a generally straight central passage formed therein extending longitudinally of said spindle and opening endwise outwardly at one end through said vone end of said spindle, the other end of said passage curving slightly outwardly and opening through one side of said spindle at the minor diameter end of said head, and a longitudinal slot formed in said head communicating the full length of said passage with the external surfaces of said head on said one side of said spindle, said slot opening through said one side of said spindle along a sine wave path extending longitudinally of said head, said slot, at any point therealong, opening inwardly along a straight generally radial path into said passage, said sine wave path including alternate centerline crests spaced circumferentially about said one side of said head a distance greater than the width of said slot.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said sine wave path lies at least substantially entirely within a ninety degree sector of the circumference of said head.

3. In combination with a drop spindle including opposite ends, one end of said spindle including a shank portion having a gradually flaring head on one end, said head including a generally straight central passage formed therein extending longitudinally of said spindle and opening endwise outwardly at one end through said one end of said spindle, the other end of said passage opening through one side of said head adjacent the tance greater than the width of said slot. 

1. In combination with a drop spindle including opposite ends, one end of said spindle including a shank portion having a gradually flaring head on one end, said head including a generally straight central passage formed therein extending longitudinally of said spindle and opening endwise outwardly at one end through said one end of said spindle, the other end of said passage curving slightly outwardly and opening through one side of said spindle at the minor diameter end of said head, and a longitudinal slot formed in said head communicating the full length of said passage with the external surfaces of said head on said one side of said spindle, said slot opening through said one side of said spindle along a sine wave path extending longitudinally of said head, said slot, at any point therealong, opening inwardly along a straight generally radial path into said passage, said sine wave path including alternate centerline crests spaced circumferentially about said one side of said head a distance greater than the width of said slot.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said sine wave path lies at least substantially entirely within a ninety degree sector of the circumference of said head.
 3. In combination with a drop spindle including opposite ends, one end of said spindle including a shank portion having a gradually flaring head on one end, said head including a generally straight central passage formed therein extending longitudinally of said spindle and opening endwise outwardly at one end through said one end of said spindle, the other end of said passage opening through one side of said head adjacent the minor diameter end thereof, and a longitudinal slot formed in said head communicating the full length of said passage with the external surfaces of said head on said one side of said spindle, said slot opening through said one side of said spindle along a sine wave path extending longitudinally of said head, said slot, at any point therealong, opening inwardly along a straight generally radial path into said passage, said sine wave path including alternate centerline crests spaced circumferentially about said one side of said head a distance greater than the width of said slot. 